(CNN) - A spokeswoman for Mitt Romney wrote late Sunday that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, did not share Rep. Todd Akin's sentiments on rape.

"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg wrote.
Earlier Sunday, Akin said he "misspoke" when he claimed "legitimate rape" rarely resulted in pregnancy.

Answering a question about whether or not he thought abortion should be legal in the case of rape, Akin explained his opposition by citing unnamed bodily responses he said prevented pregnancy.

"First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare," Akin said of rape-induced pregnancy in an interview with KTVI. A clip of the interview was posted online by the liberal super PAC American Bridge.

"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," Akin continued. He did not provide an explanation for what constituted "legitimate rape."

soundoff(229 Responses)

livingston

Akin's (I will not say 'Mr' – he doesn't deserve that much respect) opinions did not just appear out of a vacuum. Other republicans knew of his feelings and on some level must have excepted them or they would have set him straight by now. Now everyone will come out and say he was 'wrong'. Well, where were you when he was saying it behind closed doors? At some point he got enough support in his view that he felt comfortable enough to say it to the press. So I ask – what else are they saying?

August 20, 2012 07:49 am at 7:49 am |

Dino

It's all an act to put Romney/Ryan in a "we're on your side" light with female voters

August 20, 2012 07:50 am at 7:50 am |

Dilip Samuels

Wow!! The TEA PARTY DARLING, RYAN does not share this view of indescribable idiocy...the hallmark of these TEA PARTY politicians

Divisive, hateful , disgusting....these are mild words to use to describe the hate that the TEA PARTY spreads....Romney listening mon!!

August 20, 2012 07:50 am at 7:50 am |

Marty, FL

Akin's comments were reprehensible.

Both Romney and Ryan have supported the personhood amendment, which does not allow exceptions for women in cases of rape and incest. Ryan co-sponsored the intrusive amendment, which would also outlaw women's contraceptives.